CAHS Prince Edward Island Chapter Newsletter

CAHS Prince Edward Island "Carl F. Burke, MBE" Chapter

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
I would like to thank the members who attended the Sep.10th meeting. We had a special guest in attendance, Mr. Greg Gallant from the P.E.I. Regiment Museum who briefed us on their aims and objectives at the museum. Greg also suggested that we could have a future meeting and also a tour at the museum if we so wish. He has also stated that he would like to become a CAHS member.
The visit to Charlottetown by Miss Veedol, the replica Bellanca aircraft, began on Sep.12th with a good fanfare to welcome the pilots and the aircraft. City and Provincial dignitaries attending the arrival at the Charlottetown Airport were Mayor Clifford Lee of Charlottetown, Mayor Kevin Jenkins of Stratford, and the Hon. Jamie Ballem, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry. Also in attendance, were members of the CAHS Carl F. Burke, MBE, Chapter including the President, Al. Dunphy, Secretary, Edward “Andy” Anderson, and Newsletter Editor, Chet Mac Neill, a number of other Chapter members, and some members of the public. The Bellanca aircraft was on display to the public on Tuesday a.m. Sep. 13th and then departed for St. John's at 08:00 a.m. Wed. Sep. 14th. The Bellanca is beautiful to see and the workmanship over the five years to construct the replica was second to none. Once again, I thank everyone who had a hand in making this aircraft visit to P.E.I. possible.

R.C.A.F. No. 24 RADAR DETACHMENT, TIGNISH, PEI, SEP. 1942 TO SEP. 1945
(From R.C.A.F. Records at the Provincial Archives, Coles Building, Charlottetown, P.E.I.)

The contract for the erection of buildings to house the No. 24 Radar Detachment (R.D.), at Tignish, was given to contractors Philips and Matheson of Charlottetown on Sep.15, 1942. Two days later, Mr. W Workman was assigned as Resident Engineer for the building project. The Radar Detachment was part of a chain of early warning units on the East and West coasts of Canada to warn of the approach of hostile aircraft and surface vessels. The Parent Unit for No. 24 R.D. was No.1 General Reconnaissance School (G.N.S.), Station Summerside. The Detachment was located approximately 12 miles south of North Point, P.E.I., one and one-half miles from the eastern shore, and three miles from the nearest railway station at Tignish.

P/O D.J. Heath, Administration Officer for 24 R.D., was the first to report for duty at the Parent Unit in Summerside, Dec. 16, 1942. Six days later he proceeded by Motor Transport (M.T.) to 24 R.D., Tignish, and on return to Summerside, reported that the roads were fair, the weather was cold, there was little or no snow, and, the buildings for the new Detachment were not completed. On Jan 7, 1943, P/O Heath was joined by three corporal security guards for duty at the Detachment. P/O R.G. Allen, a Radio Officer, was the first Officer Commanding 24 R.D. He arrived at #1 G.R.S. on Jan. 9 followed by one Sergeant Hospital Assistant on Jan 11. P/O Allen and P/O Heath, accompanied by P/O Martin, Officer Commanding No. 4 Detachment, Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, proceeded to Tignish on Jan.14 to inspect progress and reported that that the buildings were not nearly ready for occupancy. Consequently, 12 security guards who arrived at #1 G.N.S. for employment at No. 24 R.D. were held at Station Summerside. However, on Jan. 24, four security guards were posted to No. 24 R.D. but were billeted at Tignish. By the end of January, 1943, 24 servicemen had arrived at Station Summerside for duty at the Detachment. At this date, all, except for a few security guards, were being housed at # 1 G.N.S. Station Summerside.

P/O Heath proceeded to 24 R.D. on Feb.1, and reported that: neither power, nor water, nor lights were available on site; nearly all the building were completed except for finishing and painting; and, a modification would have to made at the dining hall to enable a coal chute and an external hopper to be installed for the kitchen stove. He also reported that the road between 24 R.D. and Tignish was open for vehicles but there was heavy snow throughout the Detachment site with snow banks as high as six feet between the buildings. The lack of living quarters at the new Detachment meant that there was frequent train travel between Station Summerside and 24 R.D. by staff being housed at Station Summerside.

On Feb. 10, 1943, the electronic equipment was unloaded from the train at Tignish and taken to 24 R.D. by sleighs on roads deep with snow. Then on Feb. 19, an Army Type 4X4 truck was brought to Tignish after crossing on the ice at Montrose River. This was used to haul equipment and materials to the Detachment. A diesel engine was unloaded from the truck into a cutting in the snow drift leading to the power house door. Then, after backing the truck to the cutting and pushing the engine onto the snow and using a block and tackle hitched to the truck, the engine was hauled along on the snow into position at the door of the power house. A turntable could not be fitted on the 4X4 truck, and therefore, a private freight truck had to be contracted to transport the turntable to the Detachment. Since the road to the Detachment was impassable, a route across the ice at Little Tignish River had to be used to deliver the turntable. Generally, road travel was bad in February. Heavy snow drifts, when frozen, could sustain cars but not heavy vehicles. Alternately, bare spots prevented hauling by horses and sleigh. The Detachment site itself was heavily snowed in. Snow was piled above most windows and the drifts were up to eight feet high. Nonetheless, by Feb. 26, the diesel engines were placed on their bases and the building construction was complete except for painting and floor finishing. Still, there was neither heat, nor water, nor lights.

Continuing bad weather and bad roads hampered the movement of equipment and stores into the Detachment. Most of the Establishment strength of 27 still remained at Station Summerside. By Mar. 14, the diesel engines were operating and on Mar. 24 the secret electronic equipment was unloaded and placed in the Motor Transport building. The Paymaster was brought in from Station Summerside and this gave a boost to morale. At the end of March, beds were placed in the barracks and equipment and stores were distributed. At this time, there were 2 officers and 17 other ranks at 24 R.D. but as yet, nine other ranks remained at Station Summerside. On Apr. 4, the airmen moved into barracks, and on Apr. 5, the first meals were served in the Mess Hall. This was possible in spite of the fact that the rations truck was having problems moving from Summerside in snow clogged roads.

With the personnel settled into barracks, normal life began. The airmen would now look forward to the weekly Thursday evening journey to the Alberton Dance. The people of Alberton built a fond relationship with 24 R.D. They shared many an evening of music, food and friendship with airmen from the Radar Detachment. The first of the weekly “Talkies” was presented on Apr. 12 at the Recreation Hall by Mr. A. Murray of the Auxiliary Service, Station Summerside. And, the beloved softball games began.

The task of installing the equipment and the erection of the communication tower and turntable began with specialist personnel from #8 Central Maintenance Unit (CMU). F/L W. (Bill) R. Brennan, a future Commanding Officer, arrived from #1 MU, Scoudouc, N.B. to advise on installation work. A Ground Search party searching for a crashed aircraft near Tignish got their vehicle mired in mud. Aided by 24 R.D., they were able to acquire horse and wagon transport to continue to the search area.

On Apr. 25, a party of 15 airmen left the Detachment with their lunch to fish at a nearby shore. While they had limited success, it was recorded as the first organized sports event for the Detachment. Personnel from the mainland continued to visit on temporary Duty to install equipment. The dump truck was frequently used to pull them through the mud. By Apr. 30, 1943, the strength of the Detachment had risen to two officers and 52 other ranks. The majority of the installation support came from personnel from #1 MU. In particular, these technicians helped in the installation of the A.S.V. Beacon and the matching and phasing of the signals. On May 11, the tracking of aircraft began with 60 tracks being plotted between 1700 hours and midnight. Aircraft tracks as long as140 miles in length were being recorded.

On May 15, 1943, S/L H.E. Hanna, Senior Medical Officer from Station Summerside, visited the Detachment regarding an epidemic of enteritis. F/O D.J. Heath, the Administration Officer and the first to arrive at 24 R.D., left on posting to Cape Bauld, Newfoundland. A week later his replacement, F/O MacDonald, reported to the Detachment.

On Jul. 15, an Anson aircraft from #1 G.R.S. did an emergency landing due to an engine failure at Kildaire Capes five miles from 24 R.D. The crew comprising P/O E.E. Knechtel, F/O J.B. Lye, P/O E. Niblett, and Sgt. C. Prelsford landed safely with wheels down. A maintenance crew from #1 G.R.S. promptly installed a new engine and the crew was airborne the next day.

On Jul. 23, the security boundary fence was completed, and with addition security guards arriving, the Detachment was placed at a very high level of security protection.

The Detachment personnel, in addition to the popular Alberton dances and “Talkies”, were very actively engaged in softball, on base and within the surrounding area. Occasionally, they would complete against Summerside, and on a rare occasion, against a mainland team.

By Sep, 1, 1943 the detachment reached its maximum strength at 2 officers and 77 other ranks. F/O Kirkpatrick arrived from #5 E.D. Moncton to replace F/O MacDonald who was posted to 164 Squadron, Moncton. F/O E.N. Noonan, Education Officer from #1 G.R.S., conducted interviews for aircrew selection. Throughout the Summer and Fall, there were frequent dance and softball events for the airmen. However, there was not sufficient amusement to hold two airmen who departed the Detachment without permission and were apprehended at Cape Tormentine, N.B., as they were departing the ferry to the mainland. A “Sadie Hawkins” dance organized with the help of 23 ladies of the Women’s Division from Summerside provided a welcomed diversion from the routine activities at the Detachment.

A new Officer Commanding F/O J.M. Redding, arrived to replace F/O R.G. Allen who was posted to Tusket, N.S., Oct. 23, 1943. For this occasion, the play “Swing Time Unit” organized by Air Force Headquarters was presented by a cast of seven airmen at the Recreation Hall. As usual, with a Change of Command, an accounts audit was conducted. F/O Timbers, Accounts Officer, #1 MU Scoudouc, N.B. arrived at Mount Pleasant by air to conduct the audit. Dorothy Cullen continued to provide excellent service to the Detachment by providing monthly turn over of books from the P.E.I. library.

Eastern Air Command gave the Detachment $500.00 for a hockey rink, but as of Nov. 6, there was no sign of snow removal equipment. Victory Bond sales amounted to $3550.00 and the Detachment personnel received a Command Commendation for having achieved 100% participation and 404% of their objective. In late December, F/O J.M. Redding was promoted to F/L and posted to #23 Detachment, St. John, N.B. F/L W.R. Brennan, the new Commander, arrived from # 20 Detachment, Sydney, N.S. F/L Redding and F/L Brennan were busy all day on Dec. 31, 1943, transferring secret documents. And, as the year ended the Detachment received a commendation from the USA for navigation assistance provided to three lost Liberator aircraft flying out of Boston.

Life at 24 R.D continued into1944 much the same as the previous six months except that softball was replaced by hockey. On Feb.11, 1944, five RADAR mechanics reported from Scoudouc. Two sleigh loads of personnel attended the Alberton dance, the first since roads became blocked a month earlier and the hockey rink was cleared for the first time in a week. Sleigh rides to the dances were a bit of a hardship but failed to keep many from attending. P/O Davidson left on 14 days leave prior to going overseas. F/L Brennan, the Officer Commanding, was the only officer at the Detachment.

In September, 1944, F/L Brennan recommended to Eastern Command that the Detachment convert to a Stand Alone Unit under the authority of a Commanding Officer. The Commander, Eastern Air
Command, agreed and the 24 Radar Detachment became known as the 24 Radar Unit (24 R.U.). This meant that more responsibility for decision making was driven down to the Unit level avoiding delays in taking action thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness. F/L Brennan became the first Commanding Officer of 24 R.U. rather than the previous designation of Officer Commanding. On Jan. 31, 1945, F/L Brennan was replaced by F/O G. Edgerton. New radar equipment was installed on Feb. 8. This greatly improved aircraft tracking capability. Ranges on aircraft interception on radar were in the order of 100 miles. At times, ranges up to 130 miles were being obtained. Mosquito aircraft were being routinely tracked between Chatham and Moncton. Trials and testing of radar tracking capabilities became routine, and on occasion, a Mosquito aircraft would manage to do the transit to Moncton and remain undetected by keeping below the radar’s horizon.

By Jul. 5 1945, the tracking activity of aircraft became very heavy with large numbers of aircraft returning from overseas at war’s end. Reception of aircraft was up to 104 miles on Jul. 7, when flight activity was extremely heavy with many bomber aircraft returning to Canada and the U.S.A. Traffic would remain high until early August when it began to decrease noticeably. The Commanding Officer, F/L Edgerton, was replaced by F/L A. Wineberg on Aug. 1, 1945, as steps were being taken in preparation for the 24 R.U. closure. By Aug. 31, 1945, the Unit strength was down to 45 personnel as airmen were transferred to other units or to Release Depots.

On Sep. 6, 1945, a start was made for the packing of electronic equipment within the operation section with most of the operators became engaged in making packing crates. Nonetheless, the regular Thursday night dance run was made to Alberton. By Sep. 10, the packing of equipment and materials was in full swing.

Then on Sep. 14, 1945 there is this log entry, “Weather fine and clear but much cooler. Station Duty Watch carried out at 1800 hours. A softball game was played here with Alberton and after five innings darkness stopped the play with the score being 8-8. On authority of E.A.C. Signal O. 233 d/20 Sep.1945, this is the last entry of Daily Diary.”

Flight Lieutenant W. (Bill) R. Brennan, Commanding Officer, 24 Radar Unit, Tignish, P.E.I.

F/L Bill Brennan was the third of five Commanding Officers who served at 24 R.U. He was notable for a number of reasons not the least of which was the fact that he was eldest of three Brennan brothers who joined the R.C.A.F. early in WWII from Summerside, P.E.I. His brothers became R.C.A.F. Pilots, but Bill, having an interest in electricity and having become one of PEI’s first and youngest Electrician, studied to become an Electrical Engineer in Kansas City, U.S.A., and was quickly recognized as a most valuable asset in the use of radar technology in warfare. In 1941, he was selected by the R.A.F. to set up and command R.A.F. radar stations in Great Britain and later in Malta. One brother was killed while in combat over the North Sea and the other was killed near Torbuk, Libya, while returning from a combat mission in North Africa. F/L Brennan was in Egypt when he received word of his brothers’ deaths and he was immediately discharged and ordered back to Canada. Oddly, he was left to find his own way back and managed to do so by hitchhiking by aircraft which he claimed to have been an adventure all its own. On return, F/L Brennan served at a number of R.C.A.F. Atlantic Coast Units including 24 R.U., Tignish, as an expert in radar operations and Commanding Officer. Both his grandfather and father were publishers of the Journal-Pioneer Newspaper in Summerside and after his father’s death in 1951, Bill became the President of the Firm. Since his main interest was electricity, he became deeply interested in bringing electricity to all of P.E.I., particularly to the rural areas. Later, he would become employed by the Public Utilities Commission of P.E.I. and be responsible for the Rural Electrification Programme. He retired in 1981. F/L Bill Brennan died March 28, 2005, in Charlottetown at the age of 91 and was buried in the People’s Cemetery in Summerside.